Digitalization sets new course for marine traffic

Rolls-Royce is establishing a research centre for remote-controlled and autonomous marine crafts in Turku. Tampere University of Technology acts as a strategic partner to Rolls-Royce's international Marine unit.

Remote-controlled ships are expected to be faring the world’s seas by the end of the decade.

Strategic partnership with Rolls-Royce is an important accomplishment for research at TUT. This collaboration is a part of TUT’s “Smart machines” profile area for research.

TUT has achieved its expertise in this area through high-quality training in mechanical engineering that has produced a large number of experts working in the field. Scientific research has likewise played an important part in gathering knowledge and experience in autonomous systems.

“The Academy of Finland’s research centre GIM, established in 2005, has been but one source of excellent research in the field. GIM’s research concerned the development of autonomous working machinery. The ongoing Aawa proiect funded by Tekes concentrates specifically on autonomous machines in marine settings,” professor Kalevi Huhtala says. “These are just some of the reasons why TUT is significant partner to Rolls-Royce.”

According to Mikael Mäkinen, President of Rolls-Royce’s Marine unit, digitalization will set a new course for the future of the shipping industry, and Rolls-Royce seeks to pioneer the development of remote-controlled and autonomous vessels.

“We hold an excellent position to lead the way into the future of sea traffic and guide collaboration with industry, universities, and governments. Our ambition is to have remote-controlled ships faring the world’s seas commercially by the end of the decade."

The new research centre in Turku will be fully operational later this year. The research centre is also recruiting new staff.

Rolls-Royce’s strategic partners include VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Tampere University of Technology. In addition, the company is involved in a number of collaboration projects with small and medium-sized enterprises and start-up companies. Rolls-Royce is also a founding member of the world’s first autonomous marine traffic ecosystem, a collaboration project coordinated by DIMECC Oy.

Tampere University of Technology is at the leading edge of technology development and a sought-after collaboration partner among the scientific and business communities. The University produces competent graduates who enter careers in the different sectors of society.